Ableton Push 2 Review: One Year Later

I've had the Ableton Push 2 for more than a year. This is the full review.
Timestamps:
Intro - 0:00
Good - 0:23
Bad - 3:02
Quality - 5:12
Problems - 6:30
Would I buy it again? - 7:36
Ending screen music:
There's Love To Be Found - Jake Borg
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Instagram:
/ jakeborgmusic
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[@theok04]

This was a really good, unbiased practical review of the Push 2-nice job.

[@JakeBorg]

Thank you!

[@davemakesnoises]

Push is super intuitive for guitarists and bassists because when you play the pads in chromatic mode, the scale selection acts as a guide, you're no longer stuck with only the notes in the selected scale, you can borrow tones from other key centers etc, and since it ascends in 4ths, the patterns are identical to a bass or the first 4 strings on a standard tuned guitar.

[@rmcstay]

I don’t have a Push yet, but I’ve heard that if you press Select + Scene select button it will show the name of the scene.

[@RomanWave]

Amazing review, Jake! I like the way of your fundamental approach - it's feels so right.

[@JakeBorg]

Thank you! :D

[@CassandraMac]

I love the setup of your living space! So random but really good for maximum entertaining potential. Thanks for the review!

[@zxnkairo]

Really good review this was exactly what I needed thank you

[@TerenceKearns]

Another great practical review of hardware that has been used professionally for some time. Really looking forward to your review of your native instruments keyboard. I'm thinking about getting one. I have to plan ahead because I am not rolling in money, but I would rather save up and get something of decent build quality. The push looks nice, but Ableton is not my only daw. It's not even my main one but it's always interesting to hear people's experiences. You do great reviews.

[@JakeBorg]

Thank you! Hopefully the review for the NI-keyboard will be done this week!

[@jaycano3275]

As a piano it's confusing, but it's very intuitive if you are coming from playing guitar. The rows are tuned in fourths, like a guitar (more or less), and the way you do chords is by memorising patterns. For example, a triad is something like (x is pressed, - is open): - x - x - x and a triad with a 9th is: - - x - x - x - x This only works if you are using scales. You can also use chromatic mode, and if you set the scale to C Major in the chromatic mode then the black and white keys of a piano match the light and dark patterns on the Push 2. You still get to use patterns for chords because the rows are still tuned in 4ths, but now the patterns change depending on the chord being major, minor or any other quality. Still, I do agree that getting used to those patterns coming from piano can be a bit weird, but from guitar (or similar instruments) it's quite intuitive :)

[@CosmicAxY]

Coming from guitar I'm already shredding sick solos on it :D

[@Ayo.Ajisafe]

As someone mentioned its intuitive coming from a guitar or ESPECIALLY bass background. Its tuned in fourths. I don't use the scale feature I just look at it like 8 frets of a guitar. I can play in every key given 8 frets (5/6 even). Chromatic mode all the way. You pianists are spoiled for choice for midi instruments. Finally us bassists and guitarists have something.

[@djtheman9]

Thank you for this review. I love hearing reviews from people who have used gear for a long time. It gives the reviews nuance.

[@2327framespersecond]

Appreciate your thoughtful commentary!

[@ELXR_AUDIO]

Very good review! You will find success in staying honest about your reviews. It’s very rare nowadays so I appreciate it!

[@JakeBorg]

Thank you very much! That is very much the plan because I hate those biased reviews as well! :)

[@hardcoreherbivore4730]

Also, I'm using push 2 as a master clock, along with CV tools. When recording from my eurorack into a track. Such an enjoyable experience now, I love it.

[@Isaacthompson]

Great job! Big help! Thank you..

[@krzemian]

Thanks for a detailed review, mine is arriving on Monday, looking forward to it. Regarding cables, it seems you should be able to buy extension cords with a regular usb socket and simply extend the cable from the other end. Not ideal, but would work without buying proprietary Ableton cables (which I suppose are rather expensive)

[@Teranova]

thanks for this review, was helpful.

[@0711RC]

I like your review. Thank you!!

[@FernandoAb]

Such an honest review. Thanks a lot!

[@CosmicAxY]

While he knows how to play piano, push's notelayout is actually the same as in bass if you use chromatic mode, so if you know guitar or bass, it's very intuitive to play. Just wanted you to know. I've had one for 3 weeks now and it's awesome.

[@RomanWave]

About how to understand "playing piano" on Push - there are some guide videos how to use this matrix in building chords and modes.

[@DysmorphicP]

Yeah, he didnt go into Monochromatic mode... which for me is super intuitive.

[@visheshl]

Thanks for the review jake, i wanted to know how useful push really is

[@drewa6891]

Nice review, thanks Jake.

[@JakeBorg]

Cheers!

[@reaktiv1408]

Totally agree, esp. with the isomorphic keyboard, it's kinda confusing. I first thought it would help me since I don't know much about scales. Real begginer at playing keys but I still prefer traditional keys because you know what you are doing. Otherwise it is a very good controller for testing ideas, jamming, at first stages of creating a track ... but I won't use it to arrange it, it's not meant to be a self-sufficient solution :=)

[@donvalley1157]

2019: I travel around and do music full-time. 2020: .......

[@nthurston9049]

I like your presentation. You speak similar to the way I do. I agree with the issues about buttons being too deep and cables being too short. I found a way around the short power cable for live use. I bought a Mophie Powerstation AC, charge the battery, then use it for power on the Push 2, which gives me a little bit more wiggle room there. It is AC only so you may need an adapter for other countries or a similar style battery for your power needs. I was also confused by the way they created the USB cable ports. I tried other cables and ran into the same problems. The only thing I really disagree about is the note modes, but I am not a piano player nor have I ever learned. For me it’s easy to grab a chord and just go with that sound because the pads are close together and the scale modes help me stay in key.

[@lucianodaloisio]

Very honest! Thanks!! Subscribed

[@mrnessss]

"It's like you're using Ableton [as an instrument]". That's so cool! I love that description. Mine's in the mail. Can't wait!

[@rodrigosendas]

Good review! Can I ask you what is the stand you are using (the one in the beginning)? Thank you :)

[@JakeBorg]

It's a tilted keyboard stand from K&M. It's NOT practical for the Push, I only used it like that to have it facing the audience. It fall if I started playing it hard :P

[@BoopPOPO]

One thing is for sure, it wipes the floor clean for sample based creation with that drum seq.

[@adriank1410]

I've had it for maybe 7-8 months and I love it and agree about the quality but yeah, those cables should've been at least 2 times longer lol. Did you buy any third party ones?

[@JakeBorg]

I had a lot of really long ones at home, but none really fit naturally so at the moment I just stick with the short cables. If I really need some longer cables I just shove it in there with force :P

[@dmitrijsroscenkovs6455]

Haha! Right now I started to think, that I should get Push to play keys on it. I assume, that it will not allow me to play wrong notes for particular key.

[@madisonsinclair5123]

Jake: what brand and model is that stand you have the Push resting on? Thanks!

[@yimingxia328]

Good review!

[@duderadley2383]

The stand is beautiful - what is it called? (The one holding the Push2 in the Main Shot)

[@jeffreygillispie8780]

i dont know but after searching i like this one a lot www.amazon.com/dp/B000RXN6XI?tag=wikiaud-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1

[@hlqa7938]

Hi! Please how do u ensemble the power supply jack? mine won't fit, it's wrong made

[@haslo_]

Thanks, this was very useful. So if I want a better controller than my squishy-keyed AKAI, I'll go and look for a good MIDI keyboard rather than the Push.

[@jdssurf]

I will likely be getting a Push I do have some hard synths. Using PC Have a small keystep. So I've looked into an Oxygen, Launchkey, and some Arturia stuff, but don't know if I will need all those options if I have a Push. I like the keystep pro for controlling hard synths and it's got 4 tracks, however maybe that just needs to be a separate setup. Should I just get a nicer 49 or so midi keyboard without all the pads and such? Considering I will have a Push? Is it redundant to have a full featured midi keyboard along side the Push Should I get a fully featured midi keyboard and hold off on the Push? Certainly want something that works good in Ableton because I'm still learning it. I'm worried about these keyboards, some say pitch wheels not accurate, some say faders are horrible and so on.... Some have endless knobs, some don't, is that a major flaw? With a regular midi keyboard and a Push, what do you do about faders? So yeah I gotta upgrade from lite to suite, but need to know where to put my money Suite first, or Suite with Push package, or wait for possible Push 3, or fully functional keyboard now and Suite? Maybe a cool hard synth keyboard that also has midi, or with that take me away from nice integration with Ableton? If i do get full function midi keyboard i can pry go up to 500 bucks, but if the ones like oxygen are good, then fine, I just don't want crummy stuff, but I'm also not a baller. Any help thanks....

[@vdub4216]

Tjena 😃I really hope you can help me... I'm at the crossroads of getting a Push or investing in a 2nd 24 inch Touchscreen to control Live 11. Do you still think the Push is a good investment if I wont use it for drum pads or keyboard playing? (I have those on my Novation Impulse 49 already). Seems an expensive toy... If I could control Live 11 by touch this would surely make the Push almost irrelevant? Or am I missing something here? Any other Push owners, please feel free to chime in with why I should spend so much money if I wont use it for sequencing drums or entering notes into the piano roll? Please convince me I need one as I really like the look and idea, but the cost is too much for an 'experiment' in workflow... and yes, I do use loops alot, so chopping them up is defiantly a plus... but a touchscreen could also do this, right?

[@Bashanvibe]

You have the set up I’m trying to upgrade to!!! Komplet Kontrol s88 with Abelton Push!!! I’m a keyboard player as well and want to use the push because of the drum pads and how it sync to AL!!! I just started learning AL lite now that I have an understanding now I’m going to upgrade to the Suite and get the Push!!!

[@VA1ENTINX]

You will have it.

[@TamasKalman]

may i ask what is the black stand what you are using for the push?

[@Madmohawkfilms]

What stand is that you have the Push 2 on? Thanks

[@Allan-et5ig]

Excellent review. I bought a Push 1 but never upgraded to 2. I am SHOCKED (insert curse words if you like) that there are STILL tactile issues with some of the buttons (as you say there are). Poor button response was what Live Support (on the phone!) told me would be utterly overcome in 2! And it has not been, given your review. Not to be a snob, but like you I'm also a 'trained' musician (guitar) and found the layout of scales, etc, confusing. I get the impression that with Push 2 Ableton wanted to create a perfect controller that would finally allow total music creation within one device, 'ditching' the computer. Their marketing said while there were great controllers on the market, they all felt to some degree like a lost opportunity but that Push was not like other controllers. From your review it sounds like to the contrary - while Push 2 is good - it's still a lost opportunity. 'Yikes,' as we say in the states.

[@DeeJay003]

Not to mention the knobs. They have different levels of resistance , some are loose and can have 'hump' issues. Strange for such an expensive piece of equipment.

[@JudiJoseph]

Where did you get the stand from that holds the Ableton Push 2?

[@varde6965]

Think ill hold off until they eventually release push 3. If they ever will that is. it is 5 years old now, the push 2!. I recently switched DAW to Abelton and was thinking of getting the push 2 as well.

[@JakeBorg]

I experience this debate with myself as well. Wait for update or go with the current model? In this case I don't think a Push 3 is going to make that much of a difference. I can only see changes that are not worth waiting for, the major things like drum pads/knobs are already here. I think, if you want a Push, it's nice to have it for a longer time instead of having to wait for something that we don't know when or if it comes out! All the best!

[@lilpower7242]

I should make a damn review! For someone who was going to initially return the push 2 talking shit about how I can do everything from a mouse and keyboard and my existing MPK 249. This shit has single handedly boosted my creative workflow 99% all the way. The only thing I could say is yes it’s kinda pricey I can agree on that but I wish there were a way to use individual warp markers when bringing in a audio track. Other than that everything about this has elevated my production and I know it could for anyone else. Especially if you make modern music which most do duh. I was gonna literally take this thing back to the store looking for a reason to hate on it. The live mode sequencing something I never knew I understood with flying colors a day later. I should start putting up tutorials there’s not enough fire people using this instrument just more people letting it collect dust because they didn’t have the patience to lean it efficiently

[@palimo3653]

I agree with you about the usb cable length and the crazy usb socket. Thats a very "Apple" like move by Ableton.

[@7caldo]

You can use a USB extender cable to make it longer. You would still need to use the original cable but it's a workaround at least.

[@modmon3567]

Link to the push 2 stand?

[@ringoze]

Is there an alternative you can recommend that is less disorientating in terms of listing the current scene, or are they all suffering from this issue?

[@frankjuno8808]

Maybe the "touchAble" app for tablets is better in this regard.

[@usernext9767]

Thanks for the review I am planning one . However at the end of the video it seems ur pissed off by the device a bit and I agree wish the do better next time

[@Dennistube001]

RULE NUM 1 just adjust how hard you have to press the pads on push 2.. top right (set up) button pad sensitivity. it should NEVER hurt your fingers, EVER. you should be able to place your hands and signal to activate

[@jeno.javori_music]

Very PRO video!!!!

[@nomad1517]

People bitching about arrangement view. That was never it's intended use. It's designed to get the user away from their laptop. Less perfection, more live performance. They did an excellent job making it. It's a work of art. And way ahead of it's time. And man, is it durable.

[@frankjuno8808]

I am so disappointed with the Push2 to be used as a studio device. For me: - the large Pads on Maschine seem to be better for knocking in drums - resting on the pads with the fingers results in ghost notes - If you can play the piano, the scale pad stuff has hardly any use - the non-pad buttons (scene launch etc.) are too hard to press, very annoying when jamming - I hoped that the parameter display would help me to get a more tactile approach to soft synth control. But it simply is like menu diving. I prefer one-knob-one-function. I see for live playing with prepared 8 macro controls, it might work quite well, if only.. - the 8 knobs would have bee aligned the same way as on screen (as two rows of 4 knobs). Since in studio work, the push offers not enough display/knobs at once, I have to look on the computer screen, so I can see my Macro assignment at a glance, and not with annoyingly hard to read CAPITAL letters on the Push. So i want to change the second parameter in the second row.. wait, which buttons is that on Push? I prefer the same layout as the macros are, so I will check out the Akai APC 40 mkII soon. - the browser for patches/devices is simply too slow, since I cannot touch it and the screen height is much too small. Instead, several knobs and a far on the right located push button for "Load" are involved. I am much quicker with the mouse, and I have a much better overview on computer screen. The mouse is like two knobs (x, y) and Load button in one control-device which I can operate more easily and much faster finally. - The step sequencer could be ok (but I would prefer smaller step buttons, as on digitakt or TR8), but I don't have any motivation to get used to it, because: - constantly changing the "mode" of the Push (scene launch, steq sequencer, keyboard input, device control, track selection, mixing, send levels, muting, ..) stresses me. I would prefer dedicated devices for - scene launch (like a much cheaper launchpad), - track selection/solo/mute control (Akai apc 40) - input keyboard (any "normal" keyboard works well for me, all scales are possible since Bach well tempered), - device synth control (I use and map my prologue synth to softsynth, works very well for classic subtractive orientated synth, I have about 30 knobs without menu diving, direct one-knob-one-function).

[@leholie93]

So what do you use instead

[@frankjuno8808]

@@leholie93 I just use mouse, keyboard and prologue now.

[@TamasKalman]

unreasonable whining.

[@frankjuno8808]

@@TamasKalman maybe Push3 will be more responsive and might work better for me. I think any detailed feedback can help. Of course, I am aware that there are people who enjoy using the Push.

[@beat.spectral]

ty ...

[@shubhampaul7845]

Lol, and I use it just for playing MIDI and controlling synth patches. I have never learnt playing a piano.

[@JakeBorg]

Haha, if you don't play piano this might be easier!

[@nym053]

I've never learned playing piano either, but I prefer keys over pads. Especially for playing chords. That's just akward on Push 😅

[@CosmicAxY]

@@JakeBorg The chromatic layout is the same as in bass, so for guitar and bass players it's super nice.

[@GB-dr1vj]

nice.

[@sk8tb1]

If you guys are interested in a push 2. Let me know. I’m selling mines barely even touched

[@rustikinc63]

Able-tawn . Nice job.

[@bradleyborg9889]

You have a great last name.

[@JakeBorg]

I see you have great taste of names too! It means castle/fortress in Swedish.

[@m4nuz]

@@JakeBorg We are Borg. Resistance is futile.

[@mehdimoussaoui1712]

looks really nice but how the hell does this cost $550?!

[@kickcloudstv]

$800*

[@cahenglish]

Woo Hoo!!! Information Society! :) Takes me back a group I really liked. Thanks, Jake. Cheers, Cliff (edit - by the way, yeah, I know - ABBA. But I heard the song first from InSoc and far as I'm concerned it'll always be their song.) lol

[@marcosrotllan]

IMO best way to control ableton is with a launch control xl and a mpc one. Still doubting between the mpc or push2. The mpc will take longer to get obsolete than push 2 too.

[@IAmDamiani]

Still waiting for Push Stand-alone. 🙏🏼

[@palimo3653]

Im sure its coming that seems to be the market now. Akai is killing it with their standalone products.

[@IAmDamiani]

@@palimo3653 I had the MPC Live II Retro but returned it for the Push 2. Tbh, the MPC is boring to use, but the Push 2 is always fun.

[@palimo3653]

@@IAmDamiani the Akai force is awesome. It has a more Ableton like workflow and has many similarities to Push. I haven’t seen anyone say that thing is boring.

[@IAmDamiani]

@@palimo3653 I can’t speak for everyone but for me the MPC doesn’t inspire me to make music as much as the Push 2. Don’t get me wrong, the MPC hardware is dope but the software can use a lot of help. Now if the MPC live II had Ableton Live software, it would be GOAT!

[@wendyslittleprogram3984]

@@IAmDamiani interesting, I’m currently trying to decide between push and mpc live. Mpc looks good for jamming, but maybe push is a better all rounder ?

[@PlayGameToday]

Push3 is coming

[@PoboyMusic]

Really? You have to press the button a little too hard to make it switch? lol. That is a good thing. Would you rather it be too soft and shit went crazy on accident while playing live? I love the push btw. The scale thing is something I agree with tho.

[@nym053]

That's a good point actually. But I'll agree with him. They feel too soft. Feels like you're digging your nails in 😅

[@playnamz78]

Personable. Insightful. Concise. Bravo Sir! My favorite 2 lines: "I mean, that's a dick move, Ableton" "I would never buy this to replace a MIDI controller piano. No way, NO WAY!"

[@JakeBorg]

HAHA, thank you very much for the kind words!

[@CreativeRamy]

organised review, but what stuck out to me on the production of your video is when you changed camera angles and used audio from that camera angle, which disrupts your main clear audio, so i ask why? maybe next time use the audio from your main clean mic and just change camera scenes as normal without their audio, because it was jarring for someone who does audio.

[@JakeBorg]

Thank you! I actually didn't change the main mic ever, I just layered a small bit of the audio from the other camera to try to create a sense of depth into the picture when switching to the side cameras. Maybe I failed though :P

[@CreativeRamy]

@@JakeBorg oh ok, yeah but no it doesn't work

[@Hamedmaf]

Actually, I prefer APC 40 MKII to Push 2.

[@LyroLife]

Yes, i am thinking about getting one. I would get more use out of the APC 40 MKII compared to the Push 2.

[@DANKZI]

That scene thing makes it.. Shit. Expensive shit frankly :(

[@Drrolfski]

Honestly I can't relate to the criticism on the cables. I'm using plenty of different USB cables to connect the Push 2, even one that comes with a NI Traktor controller and never had any problems. And as a home user I don't need long cables, it actually makes less of a mess. As for the general usefulness of the device, you have to recognize what the Push 2 is and what it isn't. A full stand-alone, never-look-at-your-computer-screen device it's simply not. As an Ableton controller in addition to mouse and keyboard though, it's simply fantastic. You just need to acknowledge which workflows in Ableton work better for which input device. It's a hybrid device, not an all-out, end-all DAW-in-a-box controller. I can understand that seasoned piano players prefer a traditional piano keyboard but again, that is not what the Push 2 is made for. Playing keys on the Push 2 is specifically designed for people who don't have a piano and music theory background and with that in mind, it actually succeeds. Playing keys like you're hitting an MPC works really well on the Push 2 and there's enough flexibility to finetune the experience (like discarding out of key notes) to your personal preferences. As for live music playing/performing with the Push 2, I can wholeheartedly recommend checking Thomas Piper's channel. The guy does a great job performing with the Push 2 without making it too hard and complicated for himself.

[@dothejordman]

'finger drumming'... that's actually a thing? Using pads that small? How quaint! How is doing this live a viable option? With those tiny buttons I can't imagine someone trying to drum something that isn't super basic without making mistakes. Why anyone would want to play that crap as a piano also has me stumped. To intentionally avoid learning a bit of music theory? Not to mention cheap MIDI keyboards almost always come with a ton of mappable sliders and knobs. This... doesn't. Ahhh, German design, so often flawless and/or incredible - the DAW itself does it alll - but much like a Mercedes it seems the badge inflates the price almost double what it should sell for.

[@Jorge.O85]

People don't waste ur money on that crap...✌️🙃 + 800 dlls just to play loops and move knobs...🙄 No wayyyy Maschine mk3 is much better